Hard Bitten: Chicagoland Vampires, Book 4

By: Chloe Neill

Narrated by: Cynthia Holloway

Length: 10 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Times are hard for newly minted vampire Merit. Ever since shapeshifters announced their presence to the world, humans have been rallying against supernaturals - and they're camping outside of Cadogan House with protest signs that could turn to pitchforks at any moment. Inside its doors, things between Merit and her Master, green-eyed heartbreaker Ethan Sullivan, are tense. But then the mayor of Chicago calls Merit and Ethan to a clandestine meeting and tells them about a violent vamp attack that has left three women missing. His message is simple: get your House in order. Or else.

Merit needs to get to the bottom of this crime, but it doesn't help that she can't tell who's on her side. So she secretly calls in a favor from someone who's tall, dark, and part of an underground vamp group that may have some deep intel on the attack. Merit soon finds herself in the heady, dark heart of Chicago's supernatural society - a world full of vampires who seem to be ready to fulfill the protesting human's worst fears, and a place where she'll learn that you can't be a vampire without getting a little blood on your hands.

Bite into another Chicagoland Vampires novel.

©2011 Chloe Neill (P)2011 Tantor

Great continuation of this series

This is a hard book to rate. Those who’ve read it know why and it is going to be a whopper to review without giving away spoilers but I will try. Definitely not my favorite book in the series, in fact after some things that happen in the end I almost decided to completely give up the series. That being said, I guess the fact that it still elicited strong emotions says something.

I listened to this as an audio book and the audiobook was exceedingly well done. This is a series I highly recommend listening to; the narrator does an absolutely stellar job reading it.

Merit is still serving as Sentinel of Cadogan House. Vampires are being picketed against and are in a very precarious political position within in the city. Mayor Tate has reports of rising vampire violence against humans. Tate issues an ultimatum; Merit and Ethan will get to the bottom of the violence and stop it or else. Merit is left to unravel the mystery while Ethan deals with unwelcome visitors from the European Vampire Council. As more violent vampire situations arise and Merit learns of an illegal drug on the streets, things start to spin out of control.

This was a very well done book. It was also a very emotionally wrenching book. As with all of these books all the little things that have happened in previous books are starting to come together. Secrets from Merit father’s past, from Ethan’s past, and from Mayor Tate’s past all come to light and they are not pleasant.

We get to spend a lot more time with the Red Guard Jonas; he is an interesting character and was entertaining to read about. We also spend a lot of quality time with Ethan and Merit and their banter continues to be highly entertaining.

This is one of the darker books in this series, that being said there is still a lot of humor here. Merit is as snarky as ever. Mallory is finally back in the story some, if not a ton, and it was nice to have her back. We also meet some interesting new characters.

This book is definitely more of an investigative urban fantasy. Merit spends large amounts of time running investigations and dealing with politics. There are plenty of twists and turns that are unexpected but tie in well with the overall storyline. Lots of great action scenes like the previous books and I continue to enjoy those a lot.

The bad thing thing that happens late in the book bothered me not only because it was bad, but because it was so sudden and seemed so out of the blue. I know there must be more behind it and it is killing me to not know why that happened and how it will be dealt with.

Overall a great book in this series. Highly entertaining with lots of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. Lots of fun banter between the characters like usual. The ending will rip your heart out and stomp on it though so beware. The fact that this series gets me so emotionally involved really says good things about the writing. I highly recommend this series to all the vampire urban fantasy fans out there. This series reminds of the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost; so if you like that series I think you will enjoy this one as well.

Good storie

Would you listen to Hard Bitten again? Why?

No it was a good storie but, it...just did not have the "it factor" I the outer Chicagoland vampires books so I would say if you like this typ of book go for it, but it is not one you are going to come back to over and over again.

Why

Ethan always said he was immortal, so why is he dead? Why does this always happen? Why do I have to relive the past of my on life with these fantasies. I even read all the prefaces of the whole series to ensure that both main characters were still involved! Why.! I feel betrayed and again find myself untrusting of future books. As far as the series goes, I love the story line, I loved the playful banter, and real friendships portrayed. I hate death to leave the story line hollow and draining. If this next book doesn’t change back to the whole point of fantasy, I will have to find a new author

Hard Bitten

Well holy freakity freak, what did I just listen to?!?!
Say it ain’t so!!!

I don’t have the words…. Must keep listening.

Ethan - is he or isn't he?

Ethan plays an interesting role in this book in the series. A lot going on between Merat and her long time girlfriend. I'm hooked on this series and looking forward to more "episodes".

Book 4

A good vampire series that blends mystery, suspense, and romance into an interesting story that keeps the audience actively listening.

And back to Chicagoland we go ...

Would you listen to Hard Bitten again? Why?

No, probably not. It was not like it was a bad story it is just that I don't think I need to hear it again.

What did you like best about this story?

I do like Merit so hearing her continued story was pleasant enough.

What about Cynthia Holloway’s performance did you like?

It was okay. I did have an issue with the lack of pause because chapters though.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The end of the story. Can't say more about that or else it would give the story away.

Any additional comments?

This really does feel like the vampires are living in a sorority house or some other very childish living arrangement, at least the portrayal of the female vamps felt that way. It isn't a bad series, it just isn't the best series I have ever read. I will most likely listen to the next in the series.

the story continues

good story with a very big twist at the end. cant wait to see where it goes from here

WOW just WOW!

Didn't see that coming! This is my summer read and I am really enjoying myself!

a knife-wielding vampire series

3 I've really enjoyed the series. it keeps my attention for the most part and it's better than anything I found on Netflix or Hulu or any other TV show or network streaming franchise. I'll be sad when it's over but that won't be for a good five or six more books ️ ☺️ if you are wondering if it's worth a credit oh, it definitely is.